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Stealing the stage

Given the economy, a presidential address on jobs is important. Still, it’s hard to see what President Barack Obama hopes to accomplish by scheduling his speech in competition with a debate among Republican presidential candidates.

The White House said Wednesday that Obama will present his jobs program at 8 p.m. Eastern time Sept. 7, the same evening that GOP candidates are to debate in California. Also, the president requested a joint session of Congress be called for his speech. House Speaker John Boehner has asked him to reschedule.

Obama’s press aide says there was no attempt to overshadow the GOP debate, but Republican suspicions that he hopes to steal the stage and headlines from the GOP candidates are understandable.